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African Vision Safari

with Justin Black, Karine Aigner
December 2 - 12, 2024 Expedition
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  • Overview
  • Itinerary
  • Instructors
  • Gallery
  • Pricing
  • Highlights
  • Accommodations
  • Travel

Overview

UPGRADED! THIS SAFARI NOW INCLUDES PRIVATE CHARTER FLIGHTS BETWEEN SAFARI CAMPS, AND LUXURY ACCOMMODATIONS AT BATELEUR CAMP IN THE MARA CONSERVANCY

“This was the experience of a lifetime. Visionary Wild provided a terrific photo safari. The educational value of this workshop was unparalleled, and I have participated in many workshops. The instructors were both terrific in facilitating the photography learning experience and in finding the best locations to maximize the opportunities.”       –African Vision Safari Participant

Join award-winning wildlife photographers Karine Aigner and Justin Black for this superlative African safari experience for a small group of six, designed to exceed a passionate photographer’s wildest dreams. Karine and Justin pride themselves on their ability to teach the anticipation of animal behavior, timing, and camera handling skills that empower you to capture successful “decisive moment” wildlife images.

We will visit three of Kenya’s most distinct and geographically stunning locations at one of the best times of year for photographing wildlife activity, but with low tourist traffic: Amboseli, beneath snow-covered Mount Kilimanjaro (19,300ft.);  the Mara Triangle on the Mara River with the basaltic wall of the Oloololo Escarpment providing a wonderful backdrop for the action on the plains; and Lewa Downs, beneath the dramatic peak of Mount Kenya (17,000ft.). We are visiting during the peak of predator activity, calving of newborn wildebeest and zebras, and seasonal bird migration (this is the best time of year for bird photography).

This package is designed to deliver a superb overall experience, and includes first-rate, perfectly positioned lodging, all meals, beverages (including fine wine and beer at dinners), expert guides, photographic instruction, park entry fees, ground transfers, and internal private charter flights during the itinerary.

Conceived as a unique wildlife photography experience that delivers the best that East Africa has to offer, this experience for a small group of passionate photographers focuses on the incredible biodiversity accessible via three distinctly different ecosystems, and the peak of predator activity, with the predators spending more time each day active and hunting as the great migration at Maasai Mara has come to an end. Maasai Mara is famous for its year-round abundance of classic African wildlife: lions, cheetahs, leopards, elephants, giraffes, wildebeest, zebras, African buffalos, Thompson’s gazelles, Martial Eagles, Lilac-Breasted Rollers, African Crested Cranes, and more. At the Lewa Conservancy you will find a surprising abundance of endangered black and white rhinos, and the world’s single largest population of Grevy’s zebra. The Conservancy is also home to herds of elephants and cape buffalo, giraffes, lions, leopards, cheetahs, more than 400 species of birds, and if we’re lucky, we’ll see a pack of wild dogs.

At all three locations we have arranged exclusive use of two 4×4 Landcruiser safari vehicles, with three guests and one instructor per vehicle.

Itinerary

December 2-12, 2024
December 2nd: ARRIVAL DAY
You’ll be met as you disembark from your international flight at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport by our representative. After passport control, you will be transferred to Fairmont The Norfolk Hotel, your five-star accommodations within the city. (Approx. 45 minutes).
Our representative will assist you with check-in formalities such that you can relax and unwind after the flight. If you seek some activity rather than a day at leisure, a range of a la carte possibilities are on offer (see below). Our first official group meeting will be in the hotel bar at 6pm, before gathering for dinner at 7pm.
OVERNIGHT: FAIRMONT THE NORFOLK HOTEL
MEAL PLAN: DINNER (12/2), BED & BREAKFAST (12/3)
ROOM TYPE: STANDARD ROOM
December 3rd: NAIROBI -AMBOSELI
0600hrs: A private transfer from the hotel to the Airport is provided.
0730hrs: Settle in for a flight from Nairobi with direct service to Amboseli National Park. The approximate flight duration is 45-50 Minutes.
0805hrs: Upon arrival at Amboseli airstrip a representative of Silver Africa Tours and Safaris will pick you up and transfer you between the lodge and the airstrip. Ensure that you have your Cameras ready as the airstrip is within the Park.
You will spot the free-ranging herds of elephants up close in the park – a little wonder why the park is the best place in Africa to spot such herds. It is home to many other species such as Cape buffalo, Impala, Lion, Cheetah, Spotted hyena, Maasai giraffe, Zebra, and Blue wildebeest among other African animals. Birdlife is also abundant, particularly at this time of year as it is the peak of migratory bird traffic. Weather permitting, Amboseli national park offers a beautiful vista of the scenic snow-capped Mt. Kilimanjaro which makes it a perfect site for photography. It is the tallest mountain in Africa and the highest free-standing mountain in the world.
OVERNIGHT: TORTILIS CAMP
MEAL PLAN: ALL-INCLUSIVE
ROOM TYPE: LUXURY SAFARI TENTS
December 4th & 5th: AMBOSELI NATIONAL RESERVE
AMBOSELI NATIONAL RESERVE
After breakfast each morning, join your expert guide and set out to enjoy a full-day game-viewing extravaganza in Amboseli. With its reputation for active elephant sighting it’s easy to spot them roaming the plains in the morning and evenings.
We will try to cover as much of Amboseli as we can, splitting our time from the dry lakes, open planes, and the swamp area. We will aim to get the key images of the maneless lions, Mount Kilimanjaro, with elephants and then see what other delights we can find.  If we are lucky on this day, you can observe them splashing and foraging in Ol Okenya Swamp.
Heading out once again in the mid to late afternoon, we have an opportunity to see the day’s other period of transition as the sun drops and nocturnal species start to emerge. It’s at this time that most predators start to become active again rising after relaxing in the shade. We shall also stop at the observation hill to view the sprawling breathtaking view of Amboseli.
All meals and overnight at Tortilis camp
OVERNIGHT: TORTILIS CAMP
MEAL PLAN: ALL-INCLUSIVE
ROOM TYPE: LUXURY SAFARI TENTS
December 6th: AMBOSELI – MAASAI MARA (MARA TRIANGLE)
1000hrs: After breakfast this morning you will be transferred to the airstrip for our private charter flight to Bateleur Camp
1200hrs: Upon arrival‚ a driver/guide will meet you for your onward transfer to your camp at the Maasai Mara with an en-route game drive.
After check-in‚ lunch will be ready.
After lunch‚ enjoy an afternoon of game-viewing throughout the Maasai Mara Game Reserve in a customized open-sided safari vehicle. Else‚ engage in any other activity planned by the camp. Afterward‚ return to the camp for freshening up and dinner.
Maasai Mara National Reserve located in southwest Kenya is a vast scenic expanse of gently rolling African savannah plains measuring 1510 square kilometers in area and bordering the Serengeti National Park in Tanzania to the south. The Mara Triangle, where our safari camp is located, is positioned between the Oloololo Escarpment and the Mara River, and is a private concession accessible only to guests staying at one of the fewer safari camps there. It features the same wildlife as the main Mara, but far fewer visitors. This place is a unique wildlife conservation haven, famous for its spectacular natural diversity of wildlife and happens to be a premier safari location in East Africa, offering visitors many reasons to visit this wildlife paradise. Large numbers of Lions, Cheetah, Elephant, Rhino, African Buffalo, Wildebeest, Giraffe, Zebra, and many more animals are found in the park in their natural habitat, unconfined and free to roam the vast wilderness stretching for miles on end.
OVERNIGHT: BATELEUR LUXURY CAMP
MEAL PLAN: ALL-INCLUSIVE
ROOM TYPE: LUXURY SAFARI TENTS
December 7th & 8th: MAASAI MARA (MARA TRIANGLE)
Each morning, after breakfast we head out on a rewarding game drive in search of the elusive leopard, the most stealthy of the four big cats. Negotiating the roads and tracks down from the lodge, you are transported into a world of a timeless natural wonder; one where the sights, sounds, and pageantry of life continue on just as they have for thousands of years. As the morning progresses, your guides’ deep knowledge of the land becomes apparent as they lead you to one spot of outstanding beauty after the next, allowing you to observe the wildlife quietly and at your leisure. As the animals take refuge from the hot mid-day sun, we return to camp for a delicious lunch and a bit of down time to either rest and enjoy the camp’s luxury amenities, or download and review images with your instructors. In the afternoon, we will head out again for a game drive, making the most of the afternoon light leading into a glorious sunset. After stopping on the way back for a “sundowner” gin and tonic or glass of wine, we will arrive back at the lodge at dusk, pleasantly tired after an exhilarating day.
After a well-deserved shower, we head to the main lodge for dinner. Take your after-dinner refreshment on your verandah if you wish, watching the wildlife grazing nearby. The atmosphere is remarkably peaceful as night falls, leaving you with dreams of this diverse and wonderful country.
OVERNIGHT: BATELEUR LUXURY CAMP
MEAL PLAN: ALL-INCLUSIVE
ROOM TYPE: LUXURY SAFARI TENTS
OPTIONAL: EXPERIENCE A SAFARI FROM THE SKY ($500 per person)
A truly ‘once in a lifetime experience, flying in a Hot Air Balloon over the Maasai plains is an evocative experience that you have the chance to enjoy during any safari you take. The balloon takes off at the break of dawn, around 6 am, gliding silently during the ride over the savannah grasslands below where you may spot a variety of wildlife. The flight lasts an hour and concludes with a ”Champagne Bush Breakfast” at the balloon landing site in the wilderness. The balloon is flown by a fully qualified and experienced pilot and the balloons themselves are most often made by Cameron, a specialist hot air balloon manufacturer in Great Britain. The basket sizes vary and it is best to book the ride in advance as space is typically limited to a maximum of 16 passengers per balloon, often less if flying with a smaller basket.
Enjoy the rest of the day’s game drives as you return to your lodge for lunch dinner and overnight.
December 9th: MAASAI MARA – LEWA DOWNS (LEWA CONSERVANCY)
0930hrs: After a sunrise game drive and breakfast, a private transfer from the camp to the Airstrip at Empuseli Gate is provided.
1000hrs: We’ll board our flight to Lewa Downs.
1100hrs: A representative from your Lewa Wilderness Lodge will pick us up and transfer us to the Lodge.
Lunch, afternoon game drive, and dinner at Lewa Wilderness. Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is home to well-protected populations of severely endangered rhinoceros, both black and white, as well as the world’s largest population of Grevy’s zebra. Good leopard sightings are not uncommon, and rare species like gerenuk (giraffe-necked antelope) are surprisingly common. The local lion prides will likely be very active at this time of year. Renowned as a pioneer and leader in responsible tourism, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy actively advances and develops community engagement and wildlife conservation.
Whether you set out early in the morning or late afternoon, an informative guide will take you in an open vehicle across the plains, through the bush.
OVERNIGHT: LEWA WILDERNESS LODGE
MEAL PLAN: ALL-INCLUSIVE
ROOM TYPE: ONE-BEDROOM COTTAGES
December 10th and 11th: LEWA CONSERVANCY
Morning and afternoon game drives, beneath the flanks of Mount Kenya. Lewa Wildlife Conservancy is home to the world’s largest population of Grevy’s zebra. Renowned as a pioneer and leader in responsible tourism, Lewa Wildlife Conservancy actively advances and develops community engagement and wildlife conservation.
Whether you set out early in the morning or late afternoon, an informative guide will take you in an open vehicle across the plains, through the bush.
OVERNIGHT: LEWA WILDERNESS
MEAL PLAN: ALL-INCLUSIVE
ROOM TYPE: ONE-BEDROOM COTTAGES
December 12th: LEWA DOWNS – BACK TO NAIROBI AND DEPARTURE
After an early morning game drive, we will return to camp for a full breakfast. Check out, followed by a transfer to the airstrip for your charter flight back to Nairobi where you will be connecting to your scheduled departure flight back home.
Say goodbye to this wonderful country, for now. We know we’ll be back. Sadly, this adventure comes to an end, but the memories are forever.

Instructors

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    • Justin Black

    • JUSTIN BLACK is a photographer (www.justinblackphoto.com), writer, editor, expedition leader, photo workshops instructor, a Fellow ...
    • Karine Aigner

    • Congratulations to Karine Aigner for her Grand Title Award at the 2022 Wildlife Photographer of the Year competition hosted by the Natural History Museum of London. Karine Aigner's ...

Gallery

Pricing

Single Occupancy $28,495 (Limited)

Full $28,495
Register

Double Occupancy $23,495 (Limited)

Full $23,495
Register
Single-Occupancy: $28,495.00
Double-Occupancy: $23,495.00 per person
Note: These rates are based on payment by check. Payment by credit card requires an additional processing fee of 3%.
Included:
  • All arrival and return Airport Transfers
  • Four private charter flights NAIROBI-AMBOSELI-MARA CONSERVANCY-LEWA DOWNS-NAIROBI
  • EXCLUSIVE USE of guided game drives vehicle in a 4×4 land cruiser vehicle (one person per row)
  • All Inclusive Meal plan (soft drinks, house wines, well spirits, and, local beers)
  • Emergency Medical Evacuation Insurance by Flying Doctors (within Kenya)
  • All park entrance fees & Concessional fees
  • All Kenyan government taxes and service charges
Excluded:
  • International flights to / From the country of origin
  • All additional guest experiences as otherwise listed
  • Personal shopping
  • Gratuities
  • Laundry and phone calls
  • Any other item not mentioned in the inclusions.
A La Carte Add-Ons (at additional cost):
Extra Nights at Nairobi if needed per person sharing =US$ 170. Single Supplement = US$120
Cost for Daphne Sheldrick Elephant Orphanage visit per person=US$  135 – Minimum number of 02 pax per vehicle
Cost for Daphne Sheldrick Orphanage visit per person=US$  70 – Minimum number of 04 pax per vehicle
Giraffe center visit per person =US$  135  – Minimum number of 02 pax per vehicle
Giraffe center visit per person =US$  70  – Minimum number of 04 pax per vehicle
Extra Lunch  in Nairobi =US$  40
Full-day excursion (Daphne Sheldrick orphanage/Giraffe Centre + Lunch  per person=US$ 190 – Minimum of 02 pax per vehicle
Full-day excursion (Daphne Sheldrick orphanage/Giraffe Centre + Lunch  per person=US$ 140 – Minimum of 04 pax per vehicle
Day rooms at Nairobi on the Last Day if needed =US$ 128 Single room Supplement =US$ 90
All prices are per person.

PRICING AND OCCUPANCY

This workshop is priced for single-occupancy, with pro-rated double occupancy rates for couples or participants who have made arrangements to share a room with another participant. We are not able to pair individual travelers into double-occupancy accommodation.

PAYMENT SCHEDULE

  • 30% deposit due at time of registration
  • 30% payment due April 2, 2024
  • 40% final payment due August 2, 2024

A 100% payment is due for registrations after August 2, 2024.  Contact us if you would like to discuss alternate payment arrangements for the deposit.

Click here to review our terms and conditions, including payment, cancellation and refund policies.

Highlights

  • Unbeatable combination of wildlife behavior and diversity, ecologically and geographically distinct locations, excellent seasonal conditions with low tourist traffic, superb lodging and meals, expert guiding and photographic instruction
  • We will visit three of East Africas best wildlife safari destinations, with Mount Kilimanjaro,  the Oloololo Escarpment, and Mount Kenya all providing incredible scenic backdrops.
  • Experienced leaders provide expert guidance and instruction throughout, and put you in the right place at the right time to capture peak-action animal behavior in the best light.
  • Maasai Mara during the “short rains,” green season, offering some of the best wildlife behavior opportunities anywhere.
  • We will be unrushed at each location, to let you get to know the place and make the most of the opportunities
  • Small group of six participants with the attentive support of two professional photographer instructors, naturalist guides, and experienced safari drivers
  • Private 4WD safari vehicles with one photographer per row
  • First-rate lodging and dining included throughout
  • Four private charter flights and all ground transfers included

Accommodations

  • Farimont The Norfolk Hotel (5-Star), Nairobi – Standard Rooms
  • Tortilis Camp at Amboseli National Reserve – Safari Tents
  • Bateleur Luxury Camp at Mara Conservancy – Luxury Tents
  • Lewa Wilderness Lodge at Lewa Conservancy – One Bedroom Cottages

Travel

airplane icon
Fly into Nairobi's Jomo Kenyatta Airport. Four internal private charter bush flights between safari camps / lodges are included.
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All ground transfers are included. We will have exclusive use of two safari vehicles at each camp or lodge.
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Physical demands of this trip are easy. No hiking.
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Expect temperatures ranging from a high of 80ºF to lows of 59ºF, with a mix of sun, partly couldy, and overcast, with afternoon rain showers keeping the vegetation lush.

African Vision Safari

with Justin Black, Karine Aigner
December 2 - 12, 2024 Expedition
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